Prosecutor: East Detroit swim instructor changed clothes rather than save drowning boy

The swimming instructor in charge of the class where an East Detroit High School student drowned last year opted to change into his swimming clothes rather than jump into the pool when he learned that a boy was struggling in the water, according to Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith.

The instructor also was not certified as a swim teacher and was in the bleachers — not in the pool where he should have been — when students in the remedial swimming class ran to tell him that 14-year-old KeAir Swift was in trouble, Smith said. When the instructor went to check on the boy, KeAir was already at the bottom of the pool, but instead of taking action, the instructor left to get changed.

Smith said the 24-year-old instructor initially “blew off” the concerns of students, assuming that KeAir was just messing around, before he went down to check. It was only when more students came to him that the instructor left the bleachers.

Smith said a vice principal heard the commotion, ran to the pool and dove in in his suit to pull KeAir from the water, but by that time, it was too late.

full: http://www.freep.com/article/20140211/NEWS04/302110093/Eastpointe-drowning-charges